Veterinary medicine for horses encompasses the study and application of medical practices to diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases in equine species. This field involves a comprehensive understanding of equine anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pharmacology. Veterinary practitioners employ a range of diagnostic tools and therapeutic interventions to address health issues in horses, including lameness, gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory conditions, and infectious diseases. Preventative care, such as vaccination and deworming programs, is also a significant aspect of equine veterinary medicine. This page gathers peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore various aspects of veterinary medicine as it pertains to horses, including advancements in diagnostic techniques, treatment protocols, and preventive health strategies.
Bürger HJ, Bauer C.In order to confirm benzimidazole resistance as recommended at a workshop of the Commission of the European Communities the isolate 'E' of cyathostome strongyles originating from a stud where benzimidazole resistance had been demonstrated by egg hatch tests and by egg count reduction tests was investigated in two series of critical tests. Each of 11 foals reared strongyle-free was infected with 130,000 third stage cyathostome larvae. One animal remained untreated, two pairs of foals were treated with paste formulations of the (pro)benzimidazoles cambendazole (20 mg/kg bodyweight) or febantel (...
Watkins SB, Watney GC, Hall LW, Houlton JE.After premedication with intravenous xylazine 30 ponies were anaesthetised for castration under field conditions with intravenous ketamine, thiopentone or methohexitone. The duration of anaesthesia was adequate for surgery and the times taken to stand were similar in each group. The recovery of the ponies after ketamine was quieter than after either of the barbiturates and this may be an advantage when skilled assistance is lacking. However, all the anaesthetics appeared to be suitable for performing minor surgery in the field.
Satterlee JD, Moench SJ, Erman JE.Cytochrome-c peroxidase (ferrocytochrome-c:hydrogen-peroxide oxidoreductase, EC 1.11.1.5) forms a noncovalent 1:1 complex with horse cytochrome c in low ionic strength solution that is detectable by proton NMR spectroscopy. When the entire proton hyperfine-shifted spectrum is considered only five hyperfine resonances exhibit unambiguously detectable shifts: the heme 8-CH3 and 3-CH3 resonances, single proton resonances near 19 ppm and -4 ppm and the methionine-80 methyl group. These shifts are very similar to those observed for the covalently crosslinked complex of cytochrome-c peroxidase and h...
van den Dikkenberg MI, Holtkamp BM.Seven cases of poisoning in horses are reported. This was caused by ingestion of branches of the alder buckthorn (Frangula alnus (mill.) syn. Rhamnus frangula L.), which had been thrown on the pasture. The biological characteristics and the toxic action of the plant are discussed more fully.
Barclay WP, McCracken RJ, Phillips TN, Foerner JJ.Chronic nongranulomatous intestinal inflammation was found during laparotomy in 7 horses. The clinical signs consisted of recurrent abdominal pain in all horses. Anti-inflammatory agents (corticosteroidal and nonsteroidal agents) appeared to be effective for controlling the signs. Surgical removal of the involved intestine also was effective. Nonocclusive or temporary mesenteric ischemia was proposed as a cause of the intestinal lesions.
Markel MD, Richardson GL, Peterson PR, Meagher DM.Three adult horses were admitted with chronic coronary band avulsions of 2-, 3-, and 46-month durations, respectively. The hoof had a typical appearance in all 3 horses, with a spur of coronary band and associated horn growing at right angles to the hoof wall. Each horse was anesthetized, and the coronary band was reconstructed. Follow-up evaluation of the 3 horses (12, 15, and 23 months after surgery, respectively), revealed healing of all 3 avulsed coronary bands. Mild roughening of the hoof wall distal to the previous avulsion site was observed.
Freestone JF, Hietala S, Moulton J, Vivrette S.A 7-year-old horse with no previous history of illness was determined to have a systemic infection of Rhodococcus equi. Rhodococcus equi was isolated from blood, tracheal fluid, and feces. Lymphopenia, failure to respond to concanavalin A and phytohemagglutinin lymphocyte stimulation testing, decreased concentrations of immunoglobulin (Ig)M, IgA, and IgG, low R equi antibody titer, histologic depletion of lymphoid tissue, and a failure to respond to antigenic stimulation led to the conclusion that both humoral and cell-mediated immunity were compromised. No cause for the acquired immunodeficie...
Markel MD, Pascoe JR, Sams AE.The medical records of 13 horses with strangulated umbilical hernias were reviewed. Typical history included increased swelling, warmth, and firmness of the hernial sac. Enterocutaneous fistulas had developed in 2 horses. Four horses had signs of abdominal pain. Surgery was performed on all horses, and the hernia was reduced by an open reduction technique. Incarcerated tissue included omentum (1 horse), jejunum (5), ileum (4), cecum (1), and ventral colon (2). All horses survived and were discharged from the hospital. Follow-up information on 9 horses (5 to 52 months after discharge) revealed ...
Simpson JW, Else RW.Methods are described for the endoscopic examination and biopsy of the gastrointestinal tract and liver of the dog, cat, ox and horse. The results of the examination of 41 biopsy samples are shown, followed by a discussion of the value of biopsy in the diagnosis of diseases of the digestive tract.
Greet TR.The case histories of three young thoroughbred racehorses with displaced lateral condylar fractures combined with an axial fracture of the lateral sesamoid bone are described. In two cases the condylar fracture was repaired surgically but both horses developed severe degenerative joint disease and remained lame. The third horse was destroyed humanely. It is important that axial fractures of the sesamoid bone are recognised so that a poorer prognosis can be given for treatment of condylar fractures in racing thoroughbreds.
Hultgren BD, Zack PM, Pearson EG, Kaneps AJ.A juvenile granulosa cell tumour is described in a 3-month-old Arabian filly. The 32 X 27 X 27 cm tumour had replaced the right ovary. The neoplasm was composed of multiple nodules of neoplastic granulosa cells which formed microfollicles, macrofillicles and cysts, as well as solid nests and trabeculae. The supporting stroma contained theca cells. Mixing of the neoplastic granulosa cells and theca cells in disorderly fashion was noted. The diagnosis was based on age of occurrence and histological appearance.
Bertone AL, McIlwraith CW, Jones RL, Norrdin RW, Radin MJ, Lebel JL.To evaluate the effects of 5 treatments on clinical responses, synovial fluid analysis, radiographic changes, bacteriologic culture results of the synovial fluid and synovial membrane, microscopic characteristics of the synovial membrane, and articular cartilage histochemistry, Staphylococcus aureus organisms (1.6 X 10(6) colony-forming units) were inoculated into the tarsocrural joints of 12 horses (n = 24 joints; 2 joints/horse). Each horse was given phenylbutazone (2 g) orally, every 24 hours, beginning 24 hours after inoculation. Two horses (ie, 4 joints) were not given other treatment (co...
Stanley S, Wood T, Goodman JP, Henry PA, Woods WE, Chang SL, Tai HH, Watt D, Kwiatkowski S, Blake JW.We have raised antibodies and developed one-step enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for the diuretics ethacrynic acid and bumetanide as part of a panel of pre- and post-race tests for high potency drugs in racing horses. These ELISA tests are rapid (completed within one hour), sensitive, and can be read by eye. The ELISA detects ethacrynic acid at a drug concentration for half-maximal inhibition (I-50) of about 2.5 ng/mL for the parent drug. After dosing horses intravenously with 5 mg ethacrynic acid per horse, the parent drug or its metabolites are detectable in urine for at least 8 h...
Doran G, Hughes K, Rendle D, Edwards S.Pergolide is used to treat pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (equine Cushing's Disease), a neurodegenerative condition associated with loss of dopaminergic inhibition of the pituitary in horses. After oral administration, only low concentrations of the drug are achieved in plasma, making drug detection and quantification difficult. While direct analysis of plasma using sensitive MS/MS techniques is possible, dirty plasma samples and mobile phase buffers can cause instrumentation to become rapidly incapacitated. A method using LC with fluorescence detection was developed for pergolide analy...
Wanstrath MA, Bauck AG, Smith AD, Freeman DE.To assess the safety and efficacy of a method for digitally enlarging the caudal aspect of the epiploic foramen (EF). Methods: Healthy horses and clinical cases of EF entrapment (EFE). Methods: Fourteen healthy horses and three clinical cases. Methods: Through a ventral midline celiotomy under general anesthesia, the EF was enlarged by digital separation of the caudal attachments of the caudate lobe of the liver from right dorsal colon, right kidney, gastropancreatic fold, and pancreas. Healthy horses were euthanized under anesthesia, and the enlarged EF was measured at necropsy. Results: The ...
Hollenbach E, Robert MP, le Roux C, Smit Y.If the number of events alone is considered, endurance riding is the fastest growing and the second-most popular Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) discipline. Lameness is the most common cause of elimination from endurance races worldwide. To the authors' knowledge, no studies have been published investigating the prevalence of radiographic changes in the forelimb digits and metacarpophalangeal joints (MCP) of endurance racehorses in South Africa. Unassigned: Investigate the prevalence of radiographic changes in the forelimb digits and MCP joints of South African endurance racehorses....
Watson ED, Zanecosky HG.Fluid was aspirated from the preovulatory follicles of mares before and 12, 24 and 36 h after intravenous administration of hCG. Follicular fluid significantly (P less than 0.001) reduced lymphocyte blastogenesis in vitro and, at a dilution of 1:100, fluid collected at 36 h after administration of hCG was significantly more suppressive (P less than 0.01) than fluid collected before 36 h. Suppression of blastogenesis was reduced by extracting the follicular fluid with ether or by charcoal treatment (P less than 0.01) or by heating at 56 degrees C for 30 min (P less than 0.05). Preincubation of ...
Myrna KE, Herring IP.To assess the efficacy and kinetics of a continuous infusion modality for topical ophthalmic drug delivery via subpalpebral lavage in horses. Methods: Five ophthalmically normal horses Methods: A constant-rate continuous delivery pump was used to apply 0.01% fluorescein solution to the eyes of five ophthalmically normal horses via subpalpebral lavage. Fluorescein was applied at a rate of 0.14 mL/h for 72 h. Tear samples were collected from the ventral conjunctival fornix at regular intervals via capillary tube and tear fluorescein concentrations were determined via spectral assay. Laboratory s...
Johnston AM.Respiratory disease is one of the commonest medical reasons for referring a horse to the Royal Veterinary College, with coughing the main presenting sign. Investigation requires the taking of a detailed history, clinical examination, the use of appropriate diagnostic aids and noting response to medication and management changes. On arrival the horse is stabled in a minimal dust environment, remaining there until discharge. The use of a dust-free box frequently produces a favourable response without the use of medication which in itself is diagnostic. The problem of a horse which is asymptomati...
Timms M, Botteon A, Manos C, Griffin J, Levina V, Steel R.Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and its synthetic analogues are considered banned substances by the racing industry. GnRH is used as a pharmaceutical to regulate the female oestrous cycle, but the hormone is also thought to increase the production of testosterone in male animals. Using liquid chromatography in conjunction with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) and data-independent acquisition (DIA), a method is presented for the detection of intact and truncated peptides of GnRH and its analogues down to the low picogram level in equine urine. The study of the catabolism of GnR...
Dixon PM, McGorum BC, Long KJ, Else RW.An outdoor pony which developed severe respiratory distress in February was shown to have acute interstitial pulmonary disease (alveolitis), which was characterised by a massive exudation of eosinophil rich fluid into the airways. While antibiotic treatment before referral was ineffective, the condition rapidly responded to corticosteroid therapy. No evidence of lungworm was present and it appears that this interstitial pulmonary disease had an immune-mediated aetiology. Bronchoalveolar lavage cytology was of great value in the diagnosis and monitoring of this case.
Porcelli G, Marini-Bettolo GB, Croxatto HR, Di Jorio M.Kallikrein was purified from horse kidney by several steps of chromatographic procedure and by affinity chromatography on Sepharose-Concanavaline. Horse urinary kallikrein was previously purified by DE-32 hydroxylapatite and by Sephadex G-100 gel filtration. On the purified final sample of renal and urinary kallikrein the aminoacid composition and the gel electrophoretic molecular weight were determined. The ratio in micronMoles between each aminoacid residue of both hydrolyzed renal and urinary kallikrein of horse is about 1,00 +/- 0,30. Except for Pro, 1/2 Cys and basic aminoacid residues a ...
Komosa M, Włodarek J, Dzierzęcka M, Nienartowicz-Zdrojewska A, Tołkacz M.The problem of navicular bone lesions is better understood in warmblood horses. The aim of our research was to compare pathologic lesions of navicular bone of different types of horses divided into age groups. An extra goal was to compare radiographs with anatomical status of navicular bone dissected from the hoof capsule. The study group included 161 horses, out of which 100 individuals were warmbloods, and 61 - coldbloods. In total 280 navicular bones were analysed. The flexor surface, distal border fragments, enthesophytes and the process of obliteration of nutrient foramina were analysed. ...
Stadler P, van Amstel SR.The results of a study conducted to determine the clinico-pathological changes in 4 experimentally-induced cases of endotoxaemia in the horse are reported on. Endotoxaemia was induced by injecting commercially available E. coli 055:B5 lipopolysaccharide intravenously at a dose of 1 microgram kg-1. The haematocrit, red cell count, total and differential white cell counts, thrombocyte count, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen level, level of fibrin degradation products, arterial acid-base status, serum lactate and blood glucose were determined repeatedly. Changes that occu...
Campbell-Beggs CL, Johnson PJ, Wilson DA, Miller MA.A 12-hour-old female standardbred foal developed signs of abdominal pain, tachycardia, tachypnoea and fever associated with chylous ascites. Small intestinal obstruction was due to segmental, mid-jejunal lymphangiectasia. Post mortem examination revealed a lack of communication between afferent and efferent lymphatic vessels in the mesenteric lymphocentre, a defect which was suspected to be congenital.
Vidović A, Jansen D, Hermeyer K.A 2-year-old Arabian horse was presented with severe colic symptoms. During explorative laparotomy, a jejuno-jejunal invagination secondary to a submucosal intestinal mass was detected. The involved jejunal segment was surgically removed and an end-to-end anastomosis was created. Opening the specimen demonstrated the presence of a nodular mass on the head of the intussusceptum, measuring 10 cm in diameter, and almost completely obliterating the intestinal lumen. Additionally, a severe hyperemia of the jejunal mucosa was visible. Histological examination, which revealed a well-demarcated mass...
